Tenant and Community Organizing Internship
Housing Conservation Coordinators, a non-profit affordable housing advocacy group in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, is looking for individuals committed to social justice to fill tenant and community organizing internships for the summer and/or fall semester.
Interns work directly with HCC staff, West Side tenants and neighborhood leaders to help preserve affordable housing in Hell’s Kitchen, improve the quality of life for low-income neighborhood residents and strengthen our membership-based community organization, the West Side Neighborhood Alliance (WSNA).
Tenant organizing interns will help tenants and tenant associations prepare legal arguments and work to resolve building-wide issues, while community organizing interns will work to build WSNA, coordinate neighborhood campaigns and plan outreach events. There are opportunities to work with both HCC tenant and community organizers and all interns will learn organizing skills and become intimately acquainted with the colorful characters of Hell’s Kitchen.
Interns work out of HCC’s large community space across the street from our main office that serves as a hub for neighborhood activism and empowerment.
We'll work with your schedule, but a commitment of at least 10 hours per week is preferred. Starting and ending dates are also flexible.
We could use interns with a range of skills, not just the three mentioned here (max limit), including web and graphic design, online research, ability to connect with people one-on-one and in group settings, and a passion for progressive social change.
How to Apply:
Interested students should contact Jackie Del Valle, Director of Organizer at jdelvalle@hcc-nyc.org
Community Organizer ( FILLED)
Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc. (HCC) is a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization based in the Hell's Kitchen/Clinton neighborhood of Manhattan; our mission is to preserve and defend safe, decent and affordable housing. Our services include legal representation in Housing Court, NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, and administrative proceedings, organizing tenants to improve living conditions, installing energy efficient systems through our Weatherization Program, and teaching training courses.
The community organizer helps West Side residents build neighborhood-wide campaigns around affordable housing, land use, development and other local issues in Hell’s Kitchen and adjacent Manhattan neighborhoods. The campaign work is done through the West Side Neighborhood Alliance, (WSNA), a 400-plus grassroots organization of community members. The community organizer works closely with colleagues, neighborhood leaders, local government staff and housing advocates to win local and citywide affordable housing campaigns, help WSNA members play a larger role in shaping the future of the neighborhood, and build the strength of WSNA through recruitment and leadership development. Recruitment is done through a combination of social media tools, including a regular email blast, website and Flickr page, database management and community outreach.
Work hours are flexible but often require evening meetings and some weekends. Ability to speak Spanish, high-level computer skills and minimum two years experience preferred. Salary commensurate with experience; starting salary for two years experience is $44,149; benefits include medical and dental coverage.
How to Apply:
Send cover letter, resume and a writing sample by Friday, Nov. 19th to Jackie Del Valle at
STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION ( FILLED)
HCC is currently accepting applications for a staff attorney position. The staff attorney will work with individual tenants and groups of tenants to obtain necessary repairs, upgrade building services, stop landlord harassment, oppose eviction proceedings, resolve building-wide complaints or otherwise assert the rights of tenants by representing tenants and tenant associations in New York courts and administrative proceedings. The staff attorney will also disseminate information about tenants’ rights, advocate for tenants with landlords and landlord attorneys and advocate for tenants to obtain other social services (e.g. welfare, social security) as necessary. The staff attorney may periodically teach classes and/or trainings related to housing law. Work hours are flexible but often require morning court appearances and early evening meetings.
Applicants should be members of the New York State Bar with at least one year of relevant experience. Competitive salary scale based on practice experience is offered pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. Preference will be given to individuals with prior experience in housing matters and those with foreign language abilities, particularly Spanish, Asian and South Asian languages. Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter by mail to Aurore DeCarlo, Director of Legal Services, Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc., 777 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10019 or by email to adecarlo@hcc-nyc.org. All submissions must be received by November 25, 2009
HCC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are all welcome and encouraged to apply.
